Sacramento State News

Introduction: A total of 17 professionals from local school districts, colleges and other educational organizations have started down the road to their doctoral degree in education at Sacramento State. The three-year program, established at seven CSU campuses, is for working professionals. It’s designed to enhance their leadership qualities and is built around their schedules. Classes are held on Fridays and Saturdays.

(Jim Finnerty reporting:) This course at Sacramento State is unique in more ways than one.

(Marrio Walker, doctoral student, Sacramento State:) “You have to have the authority to make something happen.”

(Finnerty:) The students here have full time jobs away from the university.

(Background sound:) “But couldn’t that work in another way?”

(Finnerty:) And they’re here to earn a Ph.D. in educational leadership, the first doctoral degree of its kind for Sacramento State.

(Nevarez:) “A leader that is a change agent. A leader that is transformational in terms of how they lead their respective school or college or just general organization that they’re part of.”

(Finnerty:) These students work in a variety of educational capacities. High school or elementary school principals. Community college administrators. The new degree program is designed to address their personal and academic endeavors while addressing community needs as well.

(Vanessa Sheared, Ph.D., education, Sacramento State:) “This is not a program aimed at just giving people another degree. The work that they do in our programs is all aimed at helping to support the schools in our region.”

(Nevarez:) “It involves individuals in the decision-making process.”

(Finnerty:) Working professionals, students balance full time jobs with course work on Friday nights and Saturdays.

(Walker:) “It’s more challenging than I thought it was going to be but it’s a very enriching experience.”

(Finnerty:) And both students and instructors see this as a movement for change to benefit education.

(Gema Godina, doctoral student, Sacramento State:) “I believe when we’re done, it’s not about our ego. It’s not about having the title. It’s about going out there and doing something different in education.”

(Finnerty:) This is Jim Finnerty Reporting.

(Narrator:) For more information on this and other news from Sacramento State, visit our website.